Anyone ever use sodium hydroxide to get the finish off their lights?

[EsthetiX]

I was just wondering what would happen if I mixed one of my fenixes with some sodium hydroxide. Would it look good if I did that and polished it?

 

[greenLED]

Look no further, the Encyclopedia Britannica of anodizing removal is a click away:
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=58899

 

[EsthetiX]

i wish someone posted pics

 

[greenLED]

The result is just like any pic of bare aluminum (polished or otherwise).

 

[Grubbster]

I was just wondering what would happen if I mixed one of my fenixes with some sodium hydroxide. Would it look good if I did that and polished it?

I use concentrated NaOH to remove anodizing from the reflectors of Gerber infinity lights and it works great. Be very careful though. That stuff can be nasty.

 

[FlashKat]

I just use ZEP drain opener from Home Depot to remove the anodizing from my Streamlight and cheaper DX lights. It takes 20 minutes of soaking.

 

[Illum]

where do you find sodium hydroxide?
only place I know is from a chem professor that does annual demonstrations of throwing sodium cakes in a tub of water:green:

 

[EsthetiX]

where do you find sodium hydroxide?
only place I know is from a chem professor that does annual demonstrations of throwing sodium cakes in a tub of water:green:

in household cleaning products for drains and stuff

 

[d1337]

How does this effect the durability of the light?

 

[B@rt]

Drano is essentially NaOH, I find it is easier to work with if it is dilluted a bit, it gives you better control over the process.

It does in no way effect the durability of the light, the structure of the Al does not change, the Drano just eats away a tiny layer.

 

[legtu]

we have a couple of past threads with similar topics that should come up with a forum search...

with regards to fenix lights, the aluminum that they use is a bit on the soft-side and removing the ha coating somewhat 'enhances' this 'softness'. it will scratch more easily w/o the coating. on the bright side, they're easy to polish... and re-polish.

 

[nekomane]

If you read through the thread greenLED pointed out, you will find info regarding 'Greased Lightning'.
I've yet to try it myself (am looking forward to procuring a tube or two when visiting the US soon )
but it sounds safe and effective from what Jumpmaster says. See after post #105.

I still strongly recommend wearing gloves and eye protection until you are thoroughly confident
with the whole process.

 

[sflate]

I've used 'Greased Lightning' with excellent results. It is very cheap at Walmart. I've never seen it in a tub. I bought it in a spray bottle (about a quart size) and I think they had a 1 Gallon jug too. I believe it's dilluted Sodium Hydroxide. I soaked the light I did for about 5-10 minutes if I remember correctly. It worked much faster than I thought it would.

 

[nekomane]

I thought it came in a tube like toothpaste.
sflate, now I know what to look for, thanks

 

[EsthetiX]

Hooray! I did mine!

What do you think?
(I still need to use some finer gritt sandpaper and re-polish.)

 

[GarageBoy]

Err, how do I neutralize the lye afterwards?

 

[RasmusB]

Use gloves, rinse it off with water.